SunWize Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, today announced that it completed the installation of a 546 kW solar electric system for the Independent State of Samoa. The project with Samoa's power utility, Electric Power Corporation (EPC), is the country's largest, reducing Samoa's reliance on imported fossil fuels.
"For too long we have had to rely on expensive diesel from other countries for our electricity needs," said Rapa J. Young, EPC's solar project team leader. "This system is moving us closer to independence using clean, reliable solar energy."
The complete solar electric system, financed by the Government of Japan through the Pacific Environment Community Fund, spans three separate sites on the two Independent Samoan islands of Savai'I and Upolu. The Salelologa community of Savai'I and the Tanugamanono community of Upolu house the ground-mount installations. A third site, Vaitele, Upolu, is home to an additional ground-mount installation and a solar canopy for equipment storage.
The project is SunWize's third system in the region, having successfully installed 1.8 MW at the airport in nearby American Samoa in 2012 and a smaller system at the VA Hospital in Pago Pago. Leveraging industry experience from these projects, SunWize deployed best practices for overcoming the logistical and construction challenges involved in installing solar on the South Pacific islands.
"Our previous projects in American Samoa and Pago Pago required a solar electric system that could withstand 124-mile per hour typhoon force winds and corrosive ocean air. We applied similar design and engineering principals to the ground mount systems and the solar canopy while also ensuring seamless alignment with the existing electric grid. We're thrilled to be providing Independent Samoa with a robust source of clean energy," said David Kaltsas, SunWize's President and Chief Operating Officer.
Using the American Samoa and Pago Pago projects as models, SunWize also implemented a control plan that will limit corrosion and extend the life of the system for 25 years.
The solar electric project created 10 jobs between August 2013 and February of this year and will create additional jobs for the ongoing operation of the system.
SunWize sells, finances and builds sustainable energy systems for the public, private and residential sectors. For over twenty years, customers have selected SunWize to deliver sustainable energy solutions on time and within budget. Based in San Jose with offices in CA, NY, OR, HI and AZ, SunWize has deployed 100s of MWs of solar throughout the Americas.